[All] GREN NEWS Jan 12, 2020

[Lanteigne]

Hi everyone

Interesting thing happened the other day.  My husband Alex visited Mrs. Baumann outside of St.Jacobs Ontario to buy some fresh eggs. She had a fresh batch of Maple Syrup for sale, produced in January this year, right after Christmas. Seems the warm cold spells we've been having has the sap flowing super early this year already.
Here's the latest. 


LOCAL NEWS

The FALSE ALARM...
Cellphones rang all across Ontario for what ended up being a false alarm at the Pickering Nuclear plant however issues were revealed by way of social media on things we can improve upon. 

 1. OPG had no communications staff in today to speak on the phone. All media requests needed to go through e-mail. They might want to get someone on call to handle issues 24/7.

2.  Conflicting reports: Global news reporter Travis Dhanraj was told the issue was a circuit breaker issue and CTV said it was an error in testing the alarm system. 

3. Many people in social media were wondering if they should take iodine. I am not sure if it resulted in anyone consuming it but unwarranted use does post health risks for people.  The CDC page on Iodine Risks is here: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/ki.htm


HALLMAN QUARRY (at Wilmot Council on Monday)

Wilmot will make their vote regarding the Hallman Quarry Pit proposal that threatens 7% of our Region's water supply. Prime farmland at risk too. The meeting is on Monday Jan 13, 7pm at 60 Snyder's Road West in Wilmot Township. Folks can register as delegate up to four hours before the meeting. Register here: https://www.wilmot.ca/en/township-office/Appear-as-a-Delegation-at-Council.aspx
You are also welcome to email council members to let them know your views. For further info on the risks of the Hallman Pit project please visit here: https://www.safeh2o.ca/


FRIDAY FOR FUTURE 

The next climate strike in Waterloo Region will be this coming Friday, January 17th at 12 noon in downtown Kitchener at the Museum. For more info visit here:  http://climatestrikewr.caOn Monday morning on CKMS radio, 102.7 FM at 11 am, Catrina Lindman will be interviewed by Bob Jonkman about climate change and the Friday climate strike. Folks can listen online at https://radiowaterloo.ca/

PROVINCIAL


ENBRIDGE HAMILTON GAS LINE PROPOSAL
Enbridge Gas is proposing to build a giant gas pipeline in Hamilton Ontario through the Beverly Swamp. This is a habitat for endangered Jefferson Salamanders.  Primary recharge zone for the Paris Galt Moraine. All this  to increase imports of fracked gas from the United States into Ontario. It would be, 10 km long, 4ft diameter. The right-of-way 28 to 30 metres wide equal to an eight- or nine-lane roadway... through a SWAMP. 
To learn more about this project visit here: https://www.cleanairalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Enbridges-Hamilton-Pipeline-Dec-2019.pdfTo sign the petition to stop this, sign here: https://www.cleanairalliance.org/stop-gas-pipeline/
Citizens are also encouraged to contact Ontario’s Minister of theEnvironment, Jeff Yurek, to tellEnbridge to increase its spending on energyefficiency programs by $204 million instead ofbuilding a pipeline to import fracked gas fromPennsylvania.  Email or call Jeff.Yurek at pc.ola.org or 416-314-6790
VICTORY AT TRIBUNAL
The North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance a proposed subdivision has been stopped that was to have been built on environmentally sensitive woodlands and wetlands near Lake Simcoe. The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (which replaced the OMB) ruling legally obliges the Town of Georgina to amend its  Maple Leaf Estates Subdivision zoning bylaw to prevent development on 92 per cent of the lands that are to be designated an “Environmental Protection Area.” It was to include 1,073 detached homes on fully serviced lots. 

https://georginapost.com/2019/12/20/local-environmental-group-stops-proposed-subdivision-on-environmentally-sensitive-woodlands-and-wetlands-near-lake-simcoe/?fbclid=IwAR2xap7AjrIw3dAkLR5v2okvcXTkD2fT4yCYho5aagMkDQKEEyiO9Q6cRQg
FEDERAL NEWS 

UN RACISM COMMITTEE CALLS FOR HALT TO SITE C, TRANS MOUNTAIN AND COASTAL GASLINK PIPELINE
An 18 member United Nations committee working to end racism is urging Canada to immediately stop the construction of three major resource projects until it obtains approval from affected First Nations. It also says it's disturbed by law enforcement's "forced removal, disproportionate use of force, harassment and intimidation" and "escalating threat of violence" against Indigenous Peoples.
 The committee calls on Canada to immediately cease the "forced eviction" of Secwepemc and Wet'suwet'en people and guarantee that no force will be used against the two groups.

 It also calls for the RCMP and other security and police to withdraw from their traditional lands.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/un-racism-committee-calls-for-halt-to-site-c-trans-mountain-and-lng-pipeline-1.4756047?cid=sm%3Atrueanthem%3Actvnews%3Apost&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR11ksTpq8Nr5nhvdWENRwDaFvwOjxpMsSvEEeKknd2wOAzXmIjme9DXtkk

CER ENERGY FUTURES REPORT
The full Canada Energy Regulator (CER) report is online here: https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/nrg/ntgrtd/ftr/2019/index-eng.html
Acording to Pembina, the CER projection does not envision systemic or structural change in either domestic or global energy markets over the next 20 years. It's basically ignoring the Paris Accord, divestment, emerging technologies, greater efficiency and the shift to renewable energy. The Pembina review of the report is online here: https://www.pembina.org/blog/why-canadas-energy-future-report-leads-us-astray

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
9 CLIMATE ACTIVISTS OF COLOR YOU SHOULD KNOW
This insightful article shows the connection between climate change, economic exclusion and the need for social reform.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/youth-climate-activists-of-color/amp?__twitter_impression=tru

THE NON-GMO PROJECT, A YEAR IN REVIEW

This is quite an eye opening summery on both GMO innovation and the scary things that happen when they are actually used. For example, the article makes reference to supposedly sterile mosquitoes successfully breeding with wild varieties in Brazil and how hornless cattle are carrying non Bovine DNA. They make note to how that discovery was made by accident. The article also mentions how GMO wheat showing up in random locations. 

https://livingnongmo.org/2019/12/31/2019-the-year-in-review/

PETITIONS
Quick sign petition to protect Public Whistleblowers. https://democracywatch.ca/campaigns/protect-whistleblowers-who-protect-you-campaign/?t=message_sent
Tell your MP to support a Green New Deal for Canada to tackle Climate Change and Social Inequity 
https://our-time.ca/govern-gnd/

Have a great week everybody!
Lulu 




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